6.00 pm Cultural Program - India-Link.org

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over a period of twenty-two years, employing twenty thousand workers. Built entirely of white marble, the Taj Mahal is regarded as one of the eight wonders of the world. Because India is a land of intense spirituality and religious faith, temples are an integral part of Indian culture. From the Sun Temple in Konark to the Golden Temple in Amritsar, each temple represents a fascinating aspect of Indian religion, tradition, and history. The Ancient Haridwar (the “Gateway to God”), located at the foothills of the Himalayas in Uttarakhand and the Ganges river, is one of the seven holiest places in India and one of the oldest living cities. Varanasi, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, is known as the city of Lord Shiva, the god of creation and destruction. It is believed that anyone who dies here will be liberated from the cycle of reincarnation. Bodhgaya, Rishikesh, and Amritsar are also among the top holiest places in India. Amritsar, founded in 1577 by Guru Ram Das, the fourth guru of Sikhs is the spiritual capital of the Sikhs and gained its name, meaning “Holy Pool of Nectar” from the body of water around the Golden Temple. Nearly all Indian temples reveal beautiful unique architecture. India also has great natural beauty. To name a few: the Himalayan mountains running from west to east, from the Indus river valley to the Brahmaputra river valley, Ooty, and Kodaicanal in Tamilnadu. Kodaicanal, the princess of Hill Stations, is located in Dindugal District of Tamilnadu. It is one of the most famous hill stations in South India, located on the southern tip of Palani Hills. It is a favorite destination for honeymooners and is also the most visited tourist destination. The other intriguing aspect of India is the cultural diversity. The Indian subcontinent consists of a number of separate linguistic communities each of which share a common language and culture. The people in India speak many languages and dialects which are mostly varieties of 15 principal languages. People in each part of India not only speak a different language but they also dress differently, prepare different dishes, and celebrate different festivals and pray to different deities. Ragasthan, Punjab, and Gujarat are very different from Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andra Pradesh. It is a wonderful experience to travel to different parts of India because every part is very different and has its own uniqueness and flavor. We also had great leaders, one of the most influential being Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (10/2/1869 – 1/30/1948). He was the political and ideological leader of India during the Indian independence movement. He was a pioneer of 34 INDIA LINK, 2011 satyagraha, a philosophy founded upon ahimsa or nonviolence and led India to independence and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. Through his efforts, India gained its independence on August 15, 1947. While people are people across the world, India has a very rich culture and history which must be passed on to our children and to their children from our ancestors so they will be proud of their wonderful heritage and will pass this on to their children and grand children. Grand Rapids does a wonderful job bringing the community together to celebrate and maintain this cultural link with our country. I am fortunate that my kids are exposed to had the opportunity to participate in our Indian religious and cultural traditions here in Grand Rapids. We had the opportunity to get involved with our West Michigan Hindu Temple and through my daughter’s dance with Smita Chandra, we had the opportunity to involve with India Link. My kids are now 10 and 11 years old and I hope this positive exposure during the past 5 years will leave a permanent imprint on them about our culture, heritage, and values. �
COLORS OF INDIA Sohela Kaur Suri Amerced in the colors, Filled with wonders, The music’s enchanting, Crazy loud ranting, Bangles are clinking, Anklets are jingling, The color of Mehndi so ostentatious, After hours or sitting how tenacious, Dancing and singing energetically, Constantly joyous habitually. And this is just the beginning, Such craziness my head is spinning, The country I love, The place I’m so proud of, I think we can all agree, India’s a tremendous country. INDIA LINK, 2011 35
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